Ellington Indigos (Audiophile Vinyl)

“It’s a rainy early evening in January, and I’m sipping a martini and spinning an Impex 45rpm test pressing of Ellington Indigos LP. Before you read any further, drop this review and order a copy before it’s too late–it’s one of the best things I’ve heard in a while. A musical gem, a sonic knockout. Originally released in 1958, Ellington Indigos is a gorgeously moody collection of tunes. Ellington’s unaccompanied piano intro to ‘Solitude’ shows an exceptionally natural sound, with great studio ambience. When the band rolls in there’s a thrilling dynamic kick and musical pizzazz to die for–rich, throaty brass, silky strings. On ‘Where or When’ you’ll hear the alto soloist breathing as he plays; on ‘Mood Indigo’ the full orchestra really fills the room, extending wall to wall, front to back, and also in height, with an uncanny illusion of the players on a tiered bandstand, quite life-sized too. The there’s the nimble, walking bass lines, the dreamy sounding clarinet, floating in space, just so ‘there.’ Impex has a fine 33 version of this title, but this one marking the title’s 65th anniversary smokes it. The release includes a 16-page booklet with new liner notes and never seen photos. What a record!” 

- Wayne Garcia - The Absolute Sound

Musicians:
Ray Nance - trumpet
"Cat" Anderson - trumpet
"Shorty" Baker - trumpet
Clark Terry - trumpet
Willie Cook - trumpet
Sam Woodyard - drums
John Sanders - trombone
Britt Woodman - trombone
Quentin Jackson - trombone
Jimmy Wood - bass
Johnny Hodges  -sax
Harry Carney - sax
Russell Procope - sax
Jimmy Hamilton - sax
Paul Gonsalves - sax
Duke Ellington - piano